FlyJSim recently updated the amazing 732 TwinJet to a newer version which much improved sound, a great new pushback feature and what not… In the same process Jack also added a 3-D CIVA INS (requires a separate license). I really like the CIVA for flights without good VOR coverage, so I greatly appreciate the addition as a 3-D object. Unfortunately it was only added to the right hand side of the cockpit, so it is not easily visible from the captain’s side when the throttles are advanced forward (see also this thread on the FlyJSim forums). This together with the fact that it can be very annoying to enter the information using the mouse pointer finally gave me the idea to build my own CIVA control unit input device to connect to my computer. Luckily Philipp added proper datarefs for interfacing with the simulated device, so on the PC side this should not be too much effort to implement (see section 12 of the manual).
On the device end though this would envolve wiring up a few seven-segments displays, a full numpad-style keyboard as well as the waypoint selector wheel. All of this, of course, while still matching the original unit as closely as possible. Usually projects like this end in me buying a lots of stuff and never wiring it up to actually get it running. So it would be best to get a pre-assembled unit of some sort. Unfortunately a lot of people seem to want their external full-blown FMC CDUs, but nobody cares about an external INS control unit.
The only solution to all of this – of course – is to buy a real Delco Carousel IV-A Control Display Unit and wire that up!
The picture (taken by the seller) shows my CIVA. Currently it is still being shipped. I will put more information on it on this blog when it arrives. I will probably do a teardown of the internal components and document that, try to research the past of the unit based on the accompanying papers and document how to connect the displays, if I can figure the interface out (otherwise I will just replace them).